Chris Borland | Linebacker | #50

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Retired ILB Chris Borland said he is at peace with his decision to retire at age 24.

Borland left three-fourths of his rookie contract on the table as well as the upside to eventually earn millions. He's not worried about the money. "A lot of data that is out there regarding long-term health effects of head injuries," he said. "And I play a position and a style of play where I was susceptible to the worst of it. ... I played a physical brand of football and played through some things where it makes sense for me." Borland isn't in a rush to start a new career and has a trip to Europe on tap as NFL training camps get set to open. Mon, Jul 6, 2015 08:46:00 AM

Retired ILB Chris Borland has agreed to pay back three-quarters of his 2014 signing bonus.

Borland's signing bonus was $617,436 on a four-year deal. Some people have apparently been criticizing Borland for calling it quits after one NFL season out of concern for his own long-term health. Some of them went so far as to claim Borland was "stealing" the 49ers' money. Well, he wasn't. Sun, Mar 22, 2015 02:39:00 PM

49ers ILB Chris Borland has retired from the NFL after one season.

The 49ers' third-round pick last year, Borland is calling it quits because of safety issues, as he's concerned about the long-term effects of head trauma. "I just honestly want to do what's best for my health," the 24-year-old said. "From what I've researched and what I've experienced, I don't think it's worth the risk." Borland has been diagnosed with two concussions in his lifetime, but may have suffered others. He took over as a full-time starter in Week 7 as a rookie and racked up 107 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack while grading out as PFF's No. 4 inside linebacker. His and Patrick Willis' retirements put the 49ers in a bind. Mon, Mar 16, 2015 10:13:00 PM

Borland had a highly productive rookie season, posting 107 tackles, two interceptions and a sack after taking over as a full-time starter for Patrick Willis in Week 7. He'll return in a featured role in 2015. The 49ers promoted LB Chase Thomas to replace Borland on the active roster. Sat, Dec 20, 2014 04:32:00 PM

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Retired ILB Chris Borland has agreed to pay back three-quarters of his 2014 signing bonus.

Borland's signing bonus was $617,436 on a four-year deal. Some people have apparently been criticizing Borland for calling it quits after one NFL season out of concern for his own long-term health. Some of them went so far as to claim Borland was "stealing" the 49ers' money. Well, he wasn't.

The 49ers' third-round pick last year, Borland is calling it quits because of safety issues, as he's concerned about the long-term effects of head trauma. "I just honestly want to do what's best for my health," the 24-year-old said. "From what I've researched and what I've experienced, I don't think it's worth the risk." Borland has been diagnosed with two concussions in his lifetime, but may have suffered others. He took over as a full-time starter in Week 7 as a rookie and racked up 107 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack while grading out as PFF's No. 4 inside linebacker. His and Patrick Willis' retirements put the 49ers in a bind.

Borland had a highly productive rookie season, posting 107 tackles, two interceptions and a sack after taking over as a full-time starter for Patrick Willis in Week 7. He'll return in a featured role in 2015. The 49ers promoted LB Chase Thomas to replace Borland on the active roster.

The 49ers expect ILB Chris Borland (ankle) to miss the final two games of the season.

Speaking Tuesday, DC Vic Fangio said "it would be a stretch" for Borland to suit up for Weeks 16 and 17. Borland has been a bright spot for the nosediving Niners this season, stuffing the stat sheet while grading out well in advanced metrics. He's definitely earned a role for 2015.

49ers ILB Chris Borland (ankle) is not expected to play in Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Borland went down during the Week 15 loss to the Seahawks, joining Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman as stud linebackers on the sideline for San Fran. They'll likely have to ride with Michael Wilhoite at MIKE and special-teamer Nick Moody at JACK.

Borland was able to play just one snap in the second half of Sunday's Week 15 loss to the Seahawks. The rookie revelation has 107 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, five pass breakups and 11 tackles for a loss this season. Just about all of that production has come since Patrick Willis went down in Week 7.

Borland, a third-round pick out of Wisconsin, got a big chance when Patrick Willis (toe) went down in Week 7. He's taken the league by storm and was referred to as "Baby Zach Thomas" by one 49ers official. Over the last five games, Borland has 64 tackles, one sack, nine tackles for a loss, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and three pass breakups. It's impossible to not notice him jumping off the screen when watching 49ers games.

Borland has the most tackles of any linebacker in the league since stepping in for Willis in Week 7, and is averaging 14.6 fantasy points in his three starts this season. With Willis out for the year, Borland should be an LB1 the rest of the way.

"I think it’s his spot right now, but I’m going to fight for it," Borland said. With NaVorro Bowman out at least the first six weeks with a knee injury, Borland has a chance for an early-season role. It's not a concern for him to be behind Wilhoite at this point. Borland can close the gap with a strong training camp. Even if he doesn't start, Borland is expected to be used in a rotation next to Patrick Willis until Bowman returns.

Borland does not possess the ideal size, speed, and athleticism of an NFL inside linebacker, but makes up for it with excellent instincts and football intelligence. With NaVorro Bowman out until at least mid-season with a knee injury, Borland will compete with Michael Wilhoite for the starting inside 'backer job in San Francisco.

Borland (5-foot-11 1/2, 248) earned 2013 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and set the conference record for career forced fumbles (15). His 420 tackles rank sixth in Wisconsin history, 50 of which went for a loss. A sure tackler with deceptive burst to the ball carrier, Borland has T-Rex arms (29 1/4") and lacks ideal speed (4.83), but overcomes limitations by just being good at football. Smart (32 Wonderlic score), and exceptionally instinctive, Borland projects as a future starting inside linebacker whose coverage deficiencies may have to be masked by scheme. He will likely rotate early with Michael Wilhoite until NaVorro Bowman gets back to full health.

Wisconsin ILB Chris Borland has been removed from at least one team's draft board due to a balky left shoulder.

The team reportedly believes he needs surgery on the shoulder, which would be Borland's third known operation on the same joint. Other teams passed Borland on his physical and believe he can play through the shoulder problem. Borland never missed a college game because of the shoulder, though he did sit out two in 2012 and one in 2013 with right hamstring injuries. He's a day-two prospect.

Wisconsin ILB Chris Borland clocked forty times of 4.83 and 4.78 at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Borland's long speed leaves something to be desired, but he goes 5-foot-11, 245 and is an explosive hitter. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah ranked Borland as a top-50 player in the entire draft in an early-February column. Borland has scheme versatility and could be an impact player inside in either a 3-4 or 4-3.

The deal includes $4.1 million guaranteed. Coyle is about midway through his recovery from major shoulder surgery, but the 49ers were confident enough in his health to bring him back. Coyle was a liability at weak-side linebacker last season, but the Niners clearly value his presence. Ideally, he will be a reserve. He turns 28 in October.

The only guaranteed portion of Richard Sherman's three-year, $39 million contract is his $3 million signing bonus.

Sherman has been representing himself, so this contract is sure to be criticized by the agent community. So if Sherman doesn't recover smoothly from his Achilles' surgeries, the 49ers could conceivably release him before the season and be on the hook for only $3 million. Sherman also agreed to turn $6 million of his total potential earnings into per-game roster bonuses, paid only if Sherman is on the active, game-day roster. It's an incredibly team-friendly deal.